Product Description

For a large proportion of the electorate, national politics misses the real issues. As a result, membership of campaigning organizations has soared whilst party numbers have declined. This work distils the principles and priorities of many of the leading voluntary groups into a strong and coherent programme of political aims and actions. The problem can be measured as a "sustainability gap" - between official policies and achievements and actual democratic participation, environmental restoration and the eradication of poverty. With examples and short case studies, the book translates the gap into practical and realistic recommendations for progress.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #164886 in Books
• Published on: 2001-02-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Review
"(This) is an impressive and compelling treatise on the 'sustainability gap' between political rhetoric and real action to combat such ills as health scares, decaying infrastructure, poverty, and the threat of climate change. Highly recommended for anyone concerned with environmental issues," From Here to Sustainability" is a powerful and thoughtful advocate of seeing past smoke to the heart of modern politics in a new and ever changing world of environmental and global economic concerns." -- Wisconsin Bookwatch

From the Publisher
‘There is an alarming gap between the quality of life we say we want and the one we have. This book explains why, and does so brilliantly’
JONATHAN DIMBLEBY

‘From Here to Sustainability is an excellent analysis of the challenges facing all of us in the 21st century and describes the actions required by policy-makers if we are to enjoy a good and fair quality of life within nature's capacity’
ROBERT NAPIER, Chief Executive, WWF-UK

‘No policy area could be more “evidence-driven” than sustainable development. Yet the political response remains disappointing... This book should put that right’
SARA PARKIN, Programme Director, Forum for the Future

‘...From Here to Sustainability…offers some good ideas about reforming the UN, World Bank and WTO to contribute to more environmentally conscious governance, economic equality and democracy in the world…’
GREEN EVENTS, 2001

‘This is an essential handbook for all those wishing to engage with politicians on sustainability issues in the lead-up to the next election.’
GREEN CHRISTIANS, Spring 2001

About the Author
The Real World Coalition, written and edited by Ian Christie and Diane Warburton

The Real World Coalition is an alliance of leading organisations campaigning nationally and globally on environmental sustainability, social justice, poverty eradication, peace and security and democratic renewal.
Ian Christie is Associate Director of The Local Futures Group, and is a researcher and writer on environmental issues, sustainability and social policy. His publications include Managing Sustainable Development, 2nd edition (with Michael Carley, Earthscan, 2000) and Sustaining Europe (Green Alliance/Demos, 1999).
Diane Warburton is a researcher and writer on sustainable development, specializing in community participation. She is also currently Principal Research Fellow on the ESRC Democracy and Participation Programme. Her publications include Community and Sustainable Development (Earthscan, 1998).
Real World Member Organisations include:

bassac, Black Environment Network, Campaign Against Arms Trade, Charter88, Christian Aid, Church Action on Poverty, Community Action Network, Electoral Reform Society, Forum for the Future, Friends of the Earth, International Institute for Environment and Development, The Iona Community, Medact, National Peace Council, Oxfam, Pesticide Action Network UK, Population Concern, Quaker Peace and Social Witness, Save the Children, Town and Country Planning Association, Transport 2000, UK Public Health Association, United Nations Association, The Wildlife Trusts, World Development Movement, WWF-UK

Customer Reviews

A Vision for 21st Century Human Purposeful Behaviour
This book synthesises many strands from environmental sustainability, social justice, equity, world relations, and security, producing a vision to assist the guidance of policy and practice. It will be of most interest to those concerned with UK issues, but in a global context. It sets out to offer a big idea for the 21st century, and fill the existing void in stratgeic thinking at the political level. It largely succeeds in this respect. Delivering sustainability is seen as the method to forge together the political action, community regeneration and sense of purpose currently absent in UK life. It shifts the emphasis from the individual ego, to concern for a broader generation-based view of humanity, and makes practical suggestions about matching action to rhetoric. An important book for all those concerned with enacting sustainable development.